Compact file for storing papers

ABSTRACT

The compact file includes an outside case with an accordion back portion pivoted by sockets to an accordion front portion for movement between open and closed positions; a releasable catch mechanism which selectively holds the portions in the closed position; a plurality of separators, each separator having upper and lower flexible pockets on both sides for receiving papers, a rod means with a spring therein fixed to the separators and extending between the sockets of the portions to removably locate the separators and any papers in the separator pockets in the outside case to be protected thereby.

O United States Patent [151 3,659,703 Oliver May 2, 1972 s41 COMPACT FILE FOR STORING 2,907,420 10/1959 Doppelt 190/51 PAPERS 2,916,791 12/1959 Guarnieri ..24/265.2 3,263,779 8/1966 Bialer ..190/51 [721 538 79th SW6, 3 352,390 11/1967 Zalkind ..150/1 .6

Los Angeles, Calif. 90044 [22] Filed; Jam 16, 1970 Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair Assistant Examiner-Steven E. Lipman [21 A l. No.: 3,456 Attorney-Miketta, Glenny, Poms & Smith 52 11.5. C1. ..206/1A, 150/1 .6, 190/44, ABSTRACT 206/63 The compact file includes an outside case with an accordion [51] ll'llt. back portion pivoted Sockets to an accordion front portion [5 8] held of Search 190/5 206/1 for movement between open and closed positions; a releasable 206/1 44 24/265 catch mechanism which selectively holds the portions in the closed position; a plurality of separators, each separator hav- [56] References Cited ing upper and lower flexible pockets on both sides for receiv- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing papers, a rod means with a spring therein fixed to the separators and extending between the sockets of the portions 1'631269 8/1928 Tueckmamel--- -190/5l to removably locate the separators and any papers in the 1.699.971 H1929 Johnson 190/44 UX separator pockets in the outside case to be protected thereby. 1,889,765 12/1932 Switkes ..190/44 X 2,190,707 2/1940 Feldman ..l50/1.6 X 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMM 2 1912 4 2i Nw f: a 0 I Z w COMPACT ms FOR STORING rmrts BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to binder devices and more particularly to a binder device with inside separators releasably secured in an outside case for receiving papers in pockets thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel compact file which has individual separators releasably secured by a rod extending between the pivot sockets of the front and back portions of an outside case.

My present invention is a compact file or horizontal file kit which includes two parts, an inside or separator means and an outside case. The inside or separator means has a metal rod means which is fitted into a socket on each side of the case. The sockets also pivotally mount a front portion of the case to a back portion of the case. The inside or separator means consists of a plurality of non-flexible separators with flexible edge pockets on each side of these separators and on both the top and bottom thereof. The bottoms of the separators are fixed to the metal rod means containing a spring inside which enables the metal rod means to fit between and into the sockets on the sides of the case. The outside case has covers which include accordion folds. The back portion of the case has a small cavity and the front portion of the case has a small ball which is made to interlock with the cavity on the back portion. The front portion of the case has a release tab, which when pulled, unlocks the case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the separator means of the compact file, according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outside case of the compact file, according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is an end cross sectional view of the separator means located in the outside case;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the separator means located in the outside case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. I, the inside or separator means has a plurality of non-flexible cardboard or plastic separators I,

each with a flexible front pocket 2 and back pocket 3 at the top of non-flexible separator I and each with a flexible front pocket 4 and back pocket 5 at the bottom of separator I. The flexible pockets 2, 3, 4 and 5 are for receiving and holding papers and documents of all sizes, especially papers which are small in size. The separators I are fixed to a rod means 6 made of metal. A spring is inserted into the rod means 6 so that it can be fitted into the outside case.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the case is made with accordion folds and has a front portion 7 and a back portion 9. The front portion 7 and back portion 9 are pivoted together by sockets I3 for movement between open and closed positions. A ball 8 is provided in the front portion 7 of the case and a cavity 10 is provided in the back portion 9. When the front portion of the case is closed over the back 9, the ball interlocks into the cavity 10 of the back portion 9. A release tab 11 on the front portion 7 of the case will, when pulled, unlock the case.

In FIG. 3, the inside or separator means is shown connected to the outside case. Also in FIG. 4, the non-flexible separators I, each with the flexible front pocket 2 and back pocket 3 at top and each with the flexible front pocket 4 and back pocket 5 at the bottom, are fixed to the rod means 6 which has a spring inside so that the rod means 6 can be fitted into the sockets 13 on each side of the outside case.

What I claim is:

l. A compact file for holding loose papers or the like, said file com rising:

an on rdc case of generally rectangular lateral cross section, said case having an accordion front portion and having an accordion back portion, said case having mating longitudinal sockets on the portions nearby the adjacent edges thereof, said sockets pivotally mounting the front portion and back portion to each other for movement between open and closed positions,

a plurality of separators, each sized for insertion into the outside case, and each having a flexible pocket on each side, both top and bottom, and

rod means mounting the plurality of separators at the bottom thereof, said rod means including a spring therein for permitting the rod to be releasably secured between the sockets for pivotally mounting the front and back to each other, and to locate the separators in and between the front and back portions for receiving papers in the pockets to be protected by the closed outside case, said separators being removable from and replaceable into the case with the papers in the pockets thereof as a unit.

# l i Q I 

1. A compact file for holding loose papers or the like, said file comprising: an outside case of generally rectangular lateral cross section, said case having an accordion front portion and having an accordion back portion, said case having mating longitudinal sockets on the portions nearby the adjacent edges thereof, said sockets pivotally mounting the front portion and back portion to each other for movement between open and closed positions, a plurality of separators, each sized for insertion into the outside case, and each having a flexible pocket on each side, both top and bottom, and rod means mounting the plurality of separators at the bottom thereof, said rod means including a spring therein for permitting the rod to be releasably secured between the sockets for pivotally mounting the front and back to each other, and to locate the separators in and between the front and back portions for receiving papers in the pockets to be protected by the closed outside case, said separators being removable from and replaceable into the case with the papers in the pockets thereof as a unit. 